Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16815, Josiah Fuller, Conn.

SERVICE
Conn.
Fuller, Josiah
NUMBER
S. 16815
CONTENTS

Connecticut. N o 28,235
Josiah Fuller
Revolutionary in the State of Connecticut was a private in the Capt. commanded by Captain Putnam of the Regt. commanded by Col. Ledyard in the Conn. is for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of April 1834 and Judea A. Hurd, Hibernia C o
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1834. 60.00 Pension, allowance ending 4 th Sept. 10.00 $ 70.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk Book E 2 Vol. — Page 14

Linda Fuller
21st Century
Connecticut
2
6 mi private
Willand
A Hendee
Hobbs present

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Josiah Fuller
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     June 1775 3 Pt. Col Patnam 79 Traditions & writings   Aug t 1776 6 Assume Col Root Maj Brown Con   1779 3 Pt Col Ledyard Col not recollect  
The service in 1776 I am, respectfully, was in the militia. They did not serve for so long a period as six months. It should be as the declaration should be amended in this particular.
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
March 26. 1834

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Sermon in 1775 not supported by the ordinary course of service that year. If Claimant served it may be shown by Rolls in Comptroller's Office. The Reg in which he served in 1776 must be shown and proof sought at War Dept among the state archives

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[2] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

State of Connecticut, TOLLAND COUNTY, SS. HEBRON PROBATE DISTRICT.
On this 26 th day of August A. D. 1833, personally appeared in open court before Abner Hendee, Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate, for the District of Hebron, now sitting, Josiah Fullin a resident of Coventry in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut, aged 74 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
On the middle of June 1775 he volunteered for a tour of duty of three months at Roxbury near Boston immediately after Charleston was burnt in a company commanded by Capt Putnam & marched to Roxbury and assisted in building a fort on Cobble Hill and keeping guard until his term of service had expired when he was discharged having served three months as a private he thinks, he served longer as the company was drilled for some months, he did not join the company until some time after they marched to Boston and will not swear to a longer time having no evidence to show that his service was longer
In the month of August 1776 he volunteered for a tour of duty of six months near New York as a drummer in a company commanded by Capt Joseph Root Lieut Jeremiah Riple and J. Brown was Major Doct. Cheney surgeon we were marched to the vicinity of Cobble Hill and stationed at Fort Washington where we remained until our term had expired when we were discharged & he states that during a part of this term he lay in the hospital sick with the camp distemper with which almost all of his comrades died & that when his term of service had expired he was unable to return home himself but was carried by his friends in this term he served six months as a drummer

In September 1779 he was drafted for a tour of duty of three months at Byron and was marched to Fort Griswold & there placed under the command of Col. Ledyard his Captain was a stranger to him when he entered the company and owing to age & consequent loss of memory he cannot recollect his name and he then stayed until his term had expired when he was discharged having served three months as a private.
He has no documentary evidence to show the services performed nor has he been able to obtain positive proof but he herewith produces the testimony of Bela Boynton who lived near him & was knowing to his being absent when he performed a part of the services before stated that he did perform the aforesaid services faithfully & was honorably but verbally discharged.
He now furnishes all the documentary evidence from the Comptroller's office at Hartford that he can find relating to his services.
Jerimiah Tuller

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
He answers to the interrogatories propounded by order of the War Department, as follows:
1. Where, and in what year were you born? He was born in Coventry 28 1754
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? He has no record of his age
3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live? He lived in Coventry when he entered the service & has lived there ever since.
4. How were you called into service? Were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? in 1775 he volunteered in 1776 he volunteered in 1779 he was drafted
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiment as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
He has stated all the circumstances he can recollect as well as his officers in 1775 he was in Col. Putnam's Regt in Genl Washington's Army. in his service he was not with his Regt but was under the immediate command of Majr Thomas Brown In 1779 he was under the command Col. William Ledyard

6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it? he does not recollect that he ever had a discharge if he had he has lost it - he has none now
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution? he is known to the Rev d Chauncy Boote & Marvin Curtis who can testify as to his veracity & their belief of his services, and also to Elias Judd
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Josiah Fuller
We, Elias Judd  clergyman residing in the town of Coventry in the County of Tolland, and Marvin Curtis residing in Coventry hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Josiah Fuller who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 79 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Elias Judd Marvin Curtis
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
And the Court further certifies, that the Rev.  Elias Judd who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a clergyman resident in the town of Coventry and that Marvin Curtis who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Coventry and is a creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Cyrus Mann, clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Hebron, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Josiah Fuller for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 26 th day of August A. D. 1833.
Cyrus Mann Clerk.
And this Court further certifies that at the time of taking of the aforesaid declaration there was no clergyman whom the Declarant could obtain to certify for him the clergyman resident in Coventry being absent on a journey, instead thereof he has taken the certificate of two respectable citizens of his town.
Cyrus Mann Clerk

Jarius Fuller's Application 27.472

Comptroller's Office December 6 th 1833
I Elisha Stiles, Comptroller of the Public Accounts of the State of Connecticut, do certify that there is charged upon the books of the Paytable, under date 6 th January 1776, to the Undead States, the pay roll of Capt. Israel Patnam, Patnam's Regt amounting to £1814. 10. 10; & that no roll of this company has been found.
(It appears by the State records that the 3 d Connecticut regiment commanded by Gen. Rufus Patnam was raised in May 1775 for seven months, & that Israel Patnam J d was one of the Captains therein)
E. Stiles
It appears by the State records that in March 1775 the General Assembly appointed Jedediah Eldridge Colo. Experience Storrs Lt. Col. & Thomas Arscow Major of the 5 th regiment of Militia

And that in October 1777 Experience Storrs was appointed Col., Thomas Brown Lt. Col. & Horatio Huntington Major of the 5 th Regt of Militia.
O. Phelps

I Bela Boynton of Coventry in Tolland County & State of Connecticut aged 81 years do testify & say that near the month of August 1776 I was knowing to Josiah Fuller's leaving home for a tour of duty near New York & that at that time he was a drummer that he was absent from home as near as I can recollect about six months and I always understood that he performed a tour of six months as a drummer at said time & place. And I also was knowing to the said Josiah Fuller being drafted for a tour of duty at Groton in Sept- 1779 and that he left home about that time and was absent as near as I can recollect three months & I always understood & believe that he served three months at Fort Griswold in Groton that he has always been my near neighbour from childhood. Bela Boynton
State of Connecticut Tolland County ss. Hebron Probate District. Personally appeared in open court before Abner Hemen Ely Judge of the Court of Probate for said District Bela Boynton signer of the foregoing affidavit and made oath that the same contains the truth & nothing but the truth and this Court certifies that the said Boynton is a man of truth and that his statement is entitled to credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 12 th day of September A.D. 1833
Cyrus Manno Clerk

State of Connecticut Tolland County ss Hobson Probate District
On this 10 th day of April A D 1834 personally appeared Silas Almer Hemenway Judge of the Court of Probate for s d District Josiah Fuller and amended his former declaration in the following manner That in his service in 1776 he claimed to have served six months, as a drummer in Capt Josiah Root's Company near New York and verily believed he served that time but as the War Department suggests that the militia did not serve for so long a period he now withdraws his claim for three months of that service & reduces his claim for that service to three months only
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Josiah Fuller.
I, Cyrus Munn clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Hobson do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the supplemental proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Josiah Fuller for a pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of s d Court this 10 th day of April A D 1834
Cyrus Munn Clerk

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Josiah Fuller a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. 8.16.815
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1775 3 mos. Private Putnam Conn.   Aug 1776 6 mos. Private Joseph Root Maj. Thos. Brown   Sept 1779 3 mos. Private Col. Wm. Ledyard  
Battles engaged in, _____ Residence of soldier at enlistment, _____ Date of application for pension, Aug 26, 1833. His claim was allowed. Residence at date of application, Coventry, Holland Co., Penn. Age at date of application, 70 years in Coventry, Penn. Remarks: _____
Office note: (See Ann. Mgmt. Eng. 2) same date as above.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

16815 INVALID.
1915 June 18. History to Dr. George L. Parnell. 4
File No. 16815
Dr. George L. Parnell 100 S. Main Springfield, Ill.
Act: June 7, 1912
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 133
[Arrangement of 1870.]

36 Pearl Street, Hartford, Conn.
June 12.1915.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
I should be pleased to receive all there is to show of the services of Josiah Fuller was a Pensioner 1832, residing in Tolland County, Conn.
Any thing you can furnish will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
A handwritten signature in cursive, appearing to read "E. P. Bamee". The signature is written in dark ink and is positioned to the right of the closing "Sincerely,".

Depositions for General Fuller

I Stephen Turen of Coventry in Tolland County State of Connecticut aged 75 years do testify & say that about the first of September 1876 he was drafted for a term of duty of three months near New York and marched in a company commanded by Capt Samuel Burrows to the vicinity of New York & placed in a Regt commanded by Col. Experience Stone and were marched stationed at Valentus hills apart of the time and then marched to White Plains where we had a battle with the Enemy & retreated up the river & then remained until my term of service expired when I was discharged having served three months as a private & I will remember that Josiah Fuller was a drummer in the same Regt. with me but not in the same company that I often saw him doing duty as drummer during the term that I served until the latter part of the term when he was taken sick & lay in the Hospital until the end of my term of service expired
Stephen Turen
State of Connecticut Tolland County ss
Hebron Probate District
Personally appeared in open court before Abner Hanchett Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate for s d District Stephen Turen signer of the foregoing affidavit and made oath that the same contains the truth and nothing but the truth and this Court certifies that the s d Turen is a man of truth & that his statement is entitled to credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of s d Court this 10 th day of April A D 1884
Cyrus Mann Clerk